Bag-machine.



PATENTED MAY 10, 1904.

H. B. WBSTERVBLT.

BAG MACHINE. YAPPLIOATIOH 311.21) rmm, 1903.

7 SHEETS-r-SH-BET 1- N0 MODEL.

W S 5 M No. 759,786. PATENTED MAY 10, 1904.

H. B. WESTERVBLT.

BAG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FBI]. 3, 1903, N0 MODEL.

7 SHEBT8-SHEET 2 APA? ' Ira/61250;";

0425 rney.

No. 759,786. PATENTED MAY 10, 1904.

H. B. WESTERVELT. BAG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Ema, 1903. N0 MODEL.

PATBNTED MAY 10, 1904.

H. E. WBSTERVELT.

BAG MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED 11:13.3, 1903.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

no xonnn.

No. 759,786. PATENTED MAY 10, 1904.

H. E. WESTERVELT. BAG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED PBJLB, 1903. H0 MODEL.

IIIIIIIIt 1| mmnnunnsm 1m MODEL.

PATENTED MAY 10 1904. H. E. WESTERVELT.

BAG MAUHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IEB.3, 1903.

no MODEL.

PATENTED MAY 10, 1904. 'H. E. WESTERVELT. BAG MACHINE.

APPLICATION nun 2mm, 190s.

7 sums-sum 7.

I mi 1 6 111%-, I 5 I fizz/enter.

Patented May 10, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT E. WESTERVELT, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.

BAG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 759,786, dated May 10, 1904.

Application filed February 3, 1903. Serial No. 141,636- (No model.)

To ctZZ who/rt may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT E. WESTER- VELT, a citizen of the United States, residing at South Bend, in the county of St. Joseph and State of Indiana, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Bag-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification. I

My invention relates to machines for making paper bags from tucked tubing. 4

Prominent objects of the invention are to provide a practical and effective form of paper-bag machine, to reduce the cost of manufacture of the same, to simplify the construction and operation thereof, to reduce the number of parts to a minimum, and to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the machine.

In the machine herein set forth I provide two special points of novelty, which are as follows: The first is a front gripper, which is adapted to rise slightly from the folding-bed and is provided with means by which such slight rising or elevation is brought about as the upper ply of the tucked tube is being folded back to form the diamond fold. In

this way the material of the bag-blank is relieved from strain by the folding-back operation, and the operation is thereby facilitated and tearin of the bag material )revented. r b l l I 1 I .lhe second speclal point of novelty consists 1n providing a reciprocating bag-folding mechanism in combination with a traveling fold- 1ng-bed being adapted and equipped to carry I one bag-blank engaged by and carried upon the bed, and after properly operating upon the sameas, for example, by forming the diamond foldthis mechanism is returned to original position, from which it again advances with the folding-bed, but at a different position in regard to the same, and performs the folding operation upon a second bagblank; After this is performed the folding mechanism again returns to original position 'which the blanks are cut.

and again advances with a third blank. In this way the folding-bed can be arranged and equipped to carry several bag-blanks, all of which can be operated upon in turn bya single folding mechanism. In this way a single folding mechanism accomplishes the folding operations necessary for all of the bag-blanks, and a plurality of folding mechanisms is thereby dispensed with and the cost and complexity of the machine correspondingly reduced. In addition to the foregoing the mechanisms by which the same areoperated are novel, as are also many other features in the machine, all of which will be explained hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a bag-machine embodying my present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the same on a larger scale.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3 3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4 4c in Fig. Fig. 5 is an end view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4 looking at the right-hand end of the same. Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6 6 in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is aperspective viewof a portion of the mechanism. Figs. 9 to 17, inclusive, are details of construction. Figs. 18 and .19 are portions of the bag-folding mechanism in different positions. Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a portion of the same, and Figs. 21 to 24, inclusive, are perspective and diagrammatic views of such mechanism in different positions in its operation on the bag-blank.

Referring first to the general viewof the machine shown in Fig. 1., the machine is provided with a body consisting of the two side frame-pieces 1 1. At the right-hand or rear end, of this machine-frame is supported the usual roll of paper 2 and the usual instrument for allowing the paper to unroll and fOifturning or forming it into the tucked tubing from The roll 2 is supported by arms 3 3, which are mounted upon and extend out from the ends of theframepieces 1 1. Above the arms 3 3 is a second set of arms 4 4, supporting at their endsa pair of rolls 5 and 6 and a paste-pot 7. The material 8 from the roll 3 passes over the roll 5 and then below the roll 6, where it is pasted, so that when formed into the tu'cked tubing it will adhere properly. Supports 9 9 are mounted on the end portions of the frame-pieces 1 1, and these supports carry rolls 10, 11, and 12. Rolls 13 13 are supported by the side framepieces 1 1 and serve to form the material into the tucked tubing in the usual manner. A former 16 is supported upon the frame-pieces 1 1 through the medium of suitable supports 17 17 and the supports 9 9, and to the forward end of this former is secured a tongue 18, which extends up nearly to the forward end of the machine, as shown in Fig. 3. Near the forward end of this tongue 18 is a spring-clip 19, which is riveted to the tongue a little in the rear of its end. Feed-rolls 20 and 21 are mounted on shafts 22 and 23, respectively, and these shafts are extended across the machineframe and journaled at their ends in the framepieces 1 1. These feed-rolls 20 and 21 are a little in advance of the end of the former 16, and the shafts 22 and 23 are so situated as to bring the rolls on opposite sides of the'tongue 18. Cutting-rolls 24 and 25 are located in advance of the feed-rolls 20 and 21 and are mounted upon shafts 26 and 27, respectively, which latter are journaled at their ends in the side frame-pieces 1 1. The cutting-rolls 24 25 are provided with cutting devices, the roll 24 with a plane cutting-blade 28, recessed at its middle, as shown in Fig. 2, and the roll 25 with a toothed cutting-blade 29, also having a notch or recess at its middle portion similar to that of the blade 28. The central notches of the blades are so situated as to come opposite the tongue 18, whereby these cutting-blades in revolving with the rolls 24 and' 25 cut the tucked tubing on opposite sides of the tongue 18, but do not interfere with the latter. The lower feed-roll shaft 23 is provided with a loose arm 30, and from this arm a spindle 31 extends parallel with the shaft 23 toward the center of the machine and has its inner end provided with asmall cutting-blade 32. The latter is of substantially the width of the tongue 18 and is located below the same and extended upwardly, so that as the arm 30 is swung the edge of the blade 32 will come up in position to pass through the tongue 18. The arm 30 has a projection 33, and to this is pivotally connected a link 34, having a forked end which is fitted over the shaft 26. This shaft 26 carries a cam 35, having a recess 36, and thereby adapted to actuate the link 34 to cause the arm 30-to swing and the blade 32 to cut the central portion of the paper. The feedrolls 20 and 21 are gear-connected together and the cutting-rolls 24 and 25 gear-connected together, as shown in Fig. 1, and the former are driven by a pinion 37, meshing with the gear on the roll 25. The lower cutting-roll 25 is gear-connected with the main drivingshaft 38, which extends across the bed of the machine and is properly journaled in fit.

the said frame-pieces 1 1. The arrangement is such that the blade 32 first cuts a central portion of the tucked tubing, and then as the tubing advances the blades 28 and 29 operate to cut the tube at the sides of the small cut made by the blade 32. Thus the tubing is cut at intervals into suitable lengths each for a bag-blank. The main drivingshaft 38 is provided with a pulley-wheel 39, Fig. 2, and a hand-wheel 40. Feed-rolls 46 and 47 are arranged in advance of the cutting-rolls 24 and 25 and are mounted on shafts 48and 49, respectively,,which latter are suitably journaled in the side frame-pieces 1 1. A bell-crank lever 50-is mounted loosely upon the shaft 27, and one of its arms, 51, extends forwardly and the other, 52, rearwardly, and to this arm 52 a link 53 is pivotally connected. The forward end of this link 53 is forked and mounted upon the shaft 48. This latter carries a cam 54, which is adapted to cooperate with the link 53 and to actuate the same at intervals to cause the arm 51 to swing up and strike or substantially strike the tongue 18. The rolls 46 and 47 are gearconnected together, as shown in Fig. 1, and the former is gear-connected with the upper cutting-roll 24 by means of a gear 55 on the shaft 56, mounted in the frame-pieces 1 1.

' In advance of the rolls 46 and 47 and at the forward end of the tongue '18 is a roll 57, mounted on a transverse shaft 58, journaled in the frame-pieces 1 1. This roll 57 is divided or formed in two parts, as well shown in Fig. 2. Immediately below it is a rotary cylinder 59, which forms the folding-bed, upon which the bag-blanks are properly folded. The rotary cylinder 59 is fixed on the rotary shaft 60 and consists of a central hub portion 61, a web 62, and a cylindric periphery 63, which latter forms the foldingbed. It is driven by gears 41 and 42, Figs. 2 and 3, whereof the gear 41 is on the shaft 43, mounted in the frame, and the gear 42 is fixed on the shaft 60. The peripheral portion 63 of the cylinder 59 is provided with a plurality, preferably four, of recesses 64 64 at equal distances apart, and in these recesses are set blocks 65 65, Fig. 12, having pointed outer ends 66 66, the blocks 65 being held in place by screws 67 passed through them and into the folding-bed, Fig. 7 Set-screws 68 68, Fig. 6, are also desirably employed, being screwed into the periphery of the cylinder to assist in holding the blocks 65 65 in position. Between each set of pivot-blocks 65 65 is mounted a front gripper-block 69, Figs. 11 and 13, each front gripper-block being provided with side recesses 70 7 O, in which the pivot-points of the blocks 65 65 can Each gripper-block 69 is made irregular in shape, as shown in Figs. 11 and 13, and each block has a long surface terminating in a fiat gripping-surface 71, which has also cars 72 and 73 beyond the gripping-surface 71,

and both of the ears 72 and 7 3 are provided with apertures 74, as shown in Fig. 13.

Each gripper-block is also constructed with a gear-segment below the pivot-recesses 70 70. WVhen mounted upon the pivot-blocks 65 65, each gripper-lifting block 69 69 extends forwardly from its point of pivotal support and fits in one of the apertures 7 6 provided in the folding-bed for these gripper-blocks.

Each gripper-block 69 carries at its forward end a front gripper conveniently consisting of a gripping-plate 77, Fig. 9,and a grip support78, in which way the front gripper is mounted at the forward end of the gripperlifting block 69. A spring 84: is mounted upon the bolt 83, Figs. 6 and 7, and arranged -to hold the front gripper normally in a closed condition-that is, with the gripping-plate 77 against the gripping-surface 71, as shown in full lines in Figs. 6 and 7. In Fig. 1 1 all of these 9 parts are shown, excepting that. the grippingplate 77, with its bolt 79, is removed. (Jrcarsegments 85 85, Figs. 6, 14, and 15, are pivoted to the web 62 of the rotary cylinder, as by a bolt 86, as shown in Fig. 4. of this segment 85 mesh with the toothed segment 75, forminga part of the front gripperblock 69, as shown in Fig. 6. A earn-block 87 is also carried by the bolt 86 and secured to the gear-segment 85, as by pins 88 88. This cam-block 87 is provided with a projection 89, projecting outwardly on the side opposite the gear-segment 85. A closed cam 90, Figs. 1 and 6, is mounted upon the cylinder-shaft 60. This cam 90 is provided with a cam-groove 91, which is substantially annular or circular in shape, and with an upwardly extending or projecting portion 92, as well shown in Fig.

6. The projection 89 on the cam-block 87 is y. such arrangement it will be seen that each,

adapted to travel in this cam-groove 91.

blocks 93 and 94 are mounted upon and secured to the closed cam 90, the former near the top thereof and the latter at the left-hand side thereof, as shown in Fig. 6. The block The teeth 93 is provided with a'portion 95, having in clined ends, and the block 94 is provided with an elevated portion 96, having an inclined for.- ward end and an abrupt rear end. These blocks are mounted so that their elevated portions 95 and 96 lie in the-path of the tail 82 of the gripper-support 78. By such arrangement the gripper-support is tripped by each of these blocks in turn and opened, as shown in the two dotted positions in Fig. 6. When opened by the block 93, the gripper isopened and closed slowly and is held'open a short space of time. WVhen opened by the block 941, the gripper is opened quickly and then at once closed slowly. The cam 90 is held in position and steadied by an arm or red 97, Figs. 2, 3, and 6, which extends between said cam and one of the frame-pieces 1.

Two reciprocating arms 98 and 99, Figs. 3, 4t, and 5, are mounted loosely upon the cylinder-shaft 60 on each side of the cylinder. As the reciprocating arms on each side of the cylinder and their cooperating mechanisms are the same for the opposite sides of the cylinder, I will describe only one side. The arm 98 is provided with an inclined end 100, which extends toward the cylinder 59 and inclines downwardly as it approaches the same. This end 100is provided witha groove 101, Fig. 1 A carriage 102 is mounted upon the inclined end 100 of the arm 98 and is provided with a tongue 103, adapted to fit and slide in the groove 101 toward and away from the cylinder 59. A rock-shaft 10 1, Figs. 3, 1, 5, 18, and 19, is mounted in the upper portion of the carriage 102 and is provided at one end with a pinion 105 and at the other end with upper side-ply grippers 106 and 107, whereof the gripping-plate 106 is secured to the shaft 10 1 by a connecting-block 108 and whereof the gripper 107 is pivotally mounted upon the grimbing-block 108, well shown in Fig. 20. The gripper 107 has a long arm or extension 109 and is provided with a spring 110, interposed between it and the block 108 to normally hold the gripper 107 down or close against the gripper 106. The end of the rockshaft 104: is conveniently mounted in a suitable bearing 111, Figs. 18 and 19, on the carriage 102. A fixed lower side-ply gripper 112 is secured to the carriage 102 at the front edge of the same. By this arrangement the upper side-ply grippers 106 and 107 are in position over or above the lower and fixed side-ply gripper 112 when the rock-shaft is turned into one position, as in Fig. 18, and by turning or rocking the rock-shaft 104 approximately one hundred and eighty degrees the upper side-ply grippers 106 and 107 swing upwardly and backwardly and then downwardly, so as to come into position at the other side of the rock-shaft from the gripper 112, as shown in Fig. 19. The outer end of the carriage 102 is provided with a down-f wardly-extending projection 1 10, and at the lower end of this projection or extension is mounted a spindle 141, held in place by a set-screw 142. This spindle 141 carries a camlever 143, having its upper end or arm provided with teeth adapted to mesh with the pinion 105 and having its lower end or arm provided with a cam-roller 144. The spindle 141 is made appreciably longer than the width of the hub portion of the arm 143, and a spring 145, tending to normally hold the arm 143 against the extension or projection 140, is arranged upon the spindle 141. The other reciprocating arm, 99, is also provided with an inclined transversely extending top 113, adapted to fit below the inclined top 100 of the arm 98. This inclined top 113 is provided with a groove 114, Figs. 4 and 18, which extends in a general direction longitudinally of the periphery of the cylinder 59, but at an inclination thereto, as well shown in Fig. 18. A pin 115 is secured to the bottom of the carriage 102, as by a set-screw 116, and extends downwardly into the groove 114, being provided with a roller 117, which its in said groove. It will thus be seen that a reciprocating or rocking movement of the arms 98- and 99 relatively to one another will cause an in or out movement of the carriage 102. Reciprocating rods 118 and 119 are connected with the reciprocating arms 98 and 99, the rod 118 being connected with the arm 98 at the rear side of the same and above the axle or shaft and the rod 119 being connected with the arm 98 below the shaft 60. These rods 118 and 119 are extended rearwardly and have their rear ends forked and arranged over a shaft 120, which extends transversely of the bed of the machine and has its opposite ends mounted in the framepieces 1 1. The shaft 120 is provided with a closed cam 121, having cam-grooves 122 and 123 in its opposite sides. The rod 118 is provided with a pin 124, adapted to fit and work in the groove 122, and the rod 119 is provided with a pin 125, adapted to fit and work in the groove 123, Figs. 2 and 3. The shaft 120 is driven by gears 126, 127, 128, and 129, the

latter being mounted on the shaft 120 and the others being mounted on the shafts 130, 131, and 132, respectively, so as to communicate power from the main driving-shaft 38. By such arrangement the arms 98 and 99 are reciprocated forwardly and backwardly, the advancement and retardation of the arm 99, however, preceding that of the arm 98. As a result it will be seen that the carriage 102 is first advanced so as to move with the folding-bed formed by the periphery of the cylinder, and during this forward movementit is shifted inwardly and over the folding-bed by the movement of the arm 99 relatively to it, and also that as it returns the carriage 102 is withdrawn or moved outwardly away from its position over the folding-bed by reason of the relative movement of the two arms.

A cam-disk 133 is mounted upon the shaft 60 and provided with a cam 134, having an in= clined surface 135. This surface is arranged in the path of the cam-roller 144 at the lower end of the cam-arm 143, so that as the reciprocating arm 98 advances with the foldingbed the cam-roller 144 strikes against the camsurface 135, thereby swinging the arm 143 and turning the rock-shaft 104 on the carriage 102. As a result the upper side-ply grippers 106 and 107 are swung upwardly and backwardly as the carriage 102 advances and moves inwardly. A bent finger 136 is secured to the bed-frame piece 1 and extends inwardly from the same. Its bent portion 137 extends lengthwise of the machine and is so located as to come in the path of the elongation 109-on the gripper 107. In this way when the elongation 109 passes under the bent end 137 of the finger the elongation is depressed, thereby opening the gripper. When the elongation passes out from under the finger,it is automatically closed by the spring 110.

It will be understood that the machine, as previously stated, is provided with two mechanisms of the kind just described, one located on each side of the cylinder, so that on each side of the cylinder there is a reciprocating carriage carrying the upper andlower sideply-gripping devices, together with the reciprocating arms, one carrying this carriage and one arranged to actuate the same and the mechanism by which these arms are reciprocated. It will be understood also that these two sets of mechanism are connected and arranged so as to operate simultaneously and in unison on opposite sides of the cylinder.

A roll 138 is arranged at the left-hand side or in front of the cylinder 59, as shown in Fig. 3, and mounted fast upon a transverse shaft 139, whose ends are suitably journaled'i'u the framepieces 1 1. The shaft 139 is provided with a pair of loosely-mounted arms 145, arranged on opposite sides of the roll 138, and between these arms is extended a bracket 146, having a substantially flat blade or face 147. A crankarm 148 is rigidly attached to one of the arms 145, and to this crank-arm 148 is pivotally connected a rod 149, which extends downwardly at one side of the cylinder 59. The lower end of this rod 149 is forked, and this forked portion is arranged over a shaft 150, which extends across the machine and is properlyjournaled in the frame-pieces thereof. This shaft 150 carries a cam 151, having a groove 152, and the rod 149 is provided with a projection 15?). adapted to fit and work in the groove 152.

The roll 138 turns loosely upon the shaft- 139 and is provided with a gear 154, meshing with cylinder at stated intervals. These intervals are such that the blade 1417 approaches the cylinder at about the time the reciprocating arms 98 and 99 have reached the forward ends of their strokes.

Three transverse shafts 156, 157, and 158 i are arranged below the roll 138 and in front of the cylinder 59 and extended across the ma chine with their ends properly journaled in the frame-pieces thereof, the shaft 156, however, being carried by hangers 159 and being arranged to work in slots 160 in the framepieces 1 1, whereby adjustment is permitted. The shaft 156 is subjected to spring--pressure tending to force it toward the shaft 157. These shafts 156, 157, and 158 are gear-connected together, as well shown in Fig. 3, and the shaft 158 is gear-connected with the cylindergear 12. The shafts 156 and 157 are provided with small rolls 161 and 162, respectively. Farther down still are two other transverse suitably-mounted shafts 163 and 16 1, suitably geared together and. gear-connected with the shaft 150, the shaft 16 1 being carried by a pivoted hanger 165 and arranged to work in a slot 166 and subjected to spring-pressure tending to force it toward the shaft 163. These shafts 163 and 16 1 are provided with small rolls 167 and 168, respectively. Guide-rails 169 169 are extended from substantially the point of contact of the roll 138 with the cylinder 59 downwardly and around the shaft 157 and thence downwardly again to the shaft 163. The upper ends of theseguide-rails are fitted in peripheral grooves 170 in the rotary cylinder 59, Figs. 2 and 7, and they are substantially tangent with the rolls 138, 162, and 167.

Two rock-shafts 171 and 172 are extended across the machine, at the lower forward corner of the same, and properly journaled in the frame-pieces 1 1, as shown best in Fig. 1.

The rock-shaft 171 carries arms 173 and 1741,

frame-pieces 1 1.

toward and away from the tangential point i of the two rolls 161 and 162, and the blade 178 is arranged to swing toward and away from the tangential point of the rolls 167 and 168. The rotary shaft 150 is provided with cams 179 17 9, having projections180 180, and

these'cams are arranged and adapted toactu- 1 ate the arms 174: and 177, so as to rock the shafts 171 and 172, and thereby swing the- .blades 17 5 and 178, respectively.

A rotary shaft 181 is extended across the machine near the bottom of the forwardend of the same and properly journaled in the side This shaft 181 is provided with a pulley 182, and a belt 183 is arranged over this pulley and extended to a suitable cooperating pulley, by which a continuous advancement of the belt is secured.

blank.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The paper is unrolled from the roll 2 and passed upwardly and rearwardly under the rolls 10 and 11 and turned or folded into the tucked tubing in the usual manner. In this form it advances along the former 16 and then along the tongue 18, being advanced by the feed-rolls in the usual manner. As the material thus advances it is cut at intervals-by the blade 32, which makes a transverse cut in the central portion of the tubing, and farther on the portion of the material at the opposite sides of this central out are severed by the blades 28 and 29, thus cutting the material clear across at intervals. The intervals are of such distance apart as to cause the material to be cut into suitable lengths for bagblanks, each length being sufficient for a bag- The bag-blanks thus severed continue to advance along the tongue 18, and uponarriving at the forward end of the tongue the upper ply rises upon the spring-clip or lifter 19, as well shown'in Fig. 6, in which f gure the bag-blank is represented at A and the upper ply as a and the lower ply as a. As the end of the bag-blank attains this position one of the front gripper-blocks 69 approaches the end of the tongue 18, as shown in Fig.6, and its gripper 77 is opened, as shown in dotted lines in the upper right-hand corner ofsaid figure. The end of the bag-blank and gripper continue to advance until the end of the bag-blank passes off from the end of the tongue 18, at which time the gripper begins to close and does close upon the lower ply of the blank, so as to grip the same between the gripping-plate 77 and the gripping-surface 71. As the cylinder advances, drawing the bag-blank, the reciprocatingarms 98 98 99 99 are swung so as to cause the carriages 1021 02 thereon to advance with the cylinder, and as these carriages advance they are shifted inwardly toward and over the cylinder. In so doing the grippers 112 112 pass over the lower ply of the bag-blank and the grippers 106 107 106 107 pass above and below the upper ply, so as to engage or grip the sameon both sides, as shown in Fig. 21, it being understood that the grippers 107 107 are first opened and held opened temporarily by the fingers 137137. As the advancement of the carriages 102 102 continues the grippers 106 107 106 107 are swung upwardly and backwardly and then downwardly, so as to make the diamond fold. This operation is shown in Figs. 22, 23, and 24:. At the time whenthcse upper and lower ply grippers 106, 107, and 112 engage the plies of the bag-blank the front gripper 77 is in a lowered position, as shown in full lines at the upper portion of Fig. 6. As the folding back of the upper ply begins, however, the cam projection 89 on the toothed segment travels in the irregularity 92 in the cam-groove 9l,and thereby causes the toothed segment 85 to swing outwardly and swing the gripperblock 69 upon its pivotal support,and thereby gradually elevate it to the dotted position, as shown in the upper left-hand cornerof Fig. 6. This elevation of the front gripper is shown especially in Fig. 22. As the folding back of the upper ply continues, the front gripper is gradually lowered until it again assumes its lowermost position at a time before the completion of the diamond fold. The front gripper in this lowered position is shown in Fig. 23, in which it will be seen the diamond fold is not quite completed. In Fig. 2 1 the fold is completed with the gripper in its lowered position. By temporarily elevating the front gripper in this way the edges of the bag-blank are relieved from strain and pulling during the formation of the diamond fold and tearing is prevented and the whole operation greatly facilitated. As or shortly after the diamond fold is completed the shaft 139 is turned so as to swing the blade 1 17 downwardly or toward the cylinder,and thereby fold the diamond fold upon the folding-bed. After the formation of the diamond fold the upper and lower ply grippers 106, 107, and 112 are withdrawn from over the folding-bed by the action of the swinging arms 9999 upon the carriages 102 102, and after withdrawal the arms'98 98 and 99 99 are returned to original position, so as to return the carriages 102 102 to such positions. When the front gripper has moved substantially a quarter of a revolution, so that it comes adjacent to the block 94,the projection 96 from said block trips it, thereby opening it and releasing its hold upon the bag-blank. WVhen thus released, the forward end of the bagblank moves out upon the guide-rails 169 169.

When the prow portion thereof has advanced past the roll 166, the creasing-blade 173- swings down and folds the prow portion back and passes the blank through or between the rolls 162 and 161. The blank then travels along the lower portion of the guides 169 169 until all of the diamond fold except the rear inclined portion has passed the roll 167, at which time the creasing-blade 178 swings toward the blank and forms the blind fold and pushes the blank between the rolls 167 and 168. The blank as thus completed passes between said rolls and then drops from the same upon the traveling belt 183, by which it is carried out of the machine and delivered as desired.

It will be understood that the diamond fold is properly pasted before being acted upon by the creasing-blades 175 and 178. As the pasting mechanism used can be of any suitable or desired construction, it is not shown or referred to herein.

It will be seen that the machine is comparatively simple for bag-machines and has many advantages, among which may be specially I mentioned the rising front gripper, which relieves the strain on the bag-blank during the operation of forming the diamond fold, and

the reciprocating folding mechanism, which reduces the number of such mechanisms and thereby greatly simplifies the machine and largely reduces its cost.

IVhat I claim as my invention is- 1. In a bag-machine, the combination with the folding-bed, of means for forming the diamond fold, and means for lifting the forward end of the lower ply of the bag-blank from the folding-bed during the formation of the diamond fold, substantially as described.

2. In a bag-machine, the combination with the folding-bed, and means for folding the bagblank thereqn, of a front gripper adapted to grip both sides of the forward end of the lower ply of the bag-blank, and means for elevating said gripper relatively to the folding-bed, substantially as described.

3. Ina bag-machine, the combination with the folding-bed, of a front gripper consisting of upper and lower jaws, means for elevating said gripper relatively to the folding-bed, and means for opening and shutting the gripper, substantially as described.

4. In a bag-machine, the combination of a front gripper, a gripper-block to which the same is pivotally connected, the front gripper being adapted to open and close by movement about such pivotal connection, and the gripper-block being mounted for lifting or raising movement, and means for elevating and lowering the gripper-block, substantially as described.

5. In a bag-machine, the combination with the folding-bed, of a gripper-block pivotally connected to the same, a front gripper-support pivotally connected with the gripper-block and provided with a gripping-plate adapted to cooperate with the gripper-block so as to open and close relatively to the same, and means for swinging the gripper-block about its pivotal connection so as to elevate and lower it with respect to the folding-bed, substantially as described.

6. In a bag-machine, the combination of a rotary cylinder, providing a folding-bed, a gripper-block pivotally connected to said cylinder and constructed with a toothed sector, a gri ppcr-support pivotally connected at the forward end of the gripper-block and provided with a gripping-plate, which latter is adapted to cooperate with a surface on the gripperblock so as to open and close upon the same by its pivotal movement, a toothed segment carried by the rotary cylinder and having its teeth in engagement with the toothed sector of the gripper-block, and a cam for actuating the toothed segment, substantially as described.

7. In a bag-machine, the combination of a rotary cylinder, a gripper-block 69 pivotally connected with the same, the cylinder being provided with an aperture 76 for the gripperblock, which extends forwardly of its pivotal connection, a gripper-support 78 pivotally connected at the forward end of the gripperblock and having a dependingprojection 82, a gripper-plate 77 secured to the upper end of the gripper-block and adapted to cooperate with the upper surface of the latter so as to form a front gripper adapted to be opened and closed by the pivotal movement of the gripper-support 7 8, a spring tending normallyto hold said gripper-support in position to close the gripper, the gripper-block having a toothed sector 75, a toothed segment pivotally connected with the rotary cylinder and having its teeth in engagement with the teeth of the toothed sector 7 5, said toothed segment being provided with a cam projection 89, a cam having a cam-groove 91 provided with an irregularity 92, the cam projection 89 being adapted to travel in the cam-groove 91, and the irregularity 92 being located to cause the toothed segment 85 to swing upwardly and thereby swing the gripper-block 69 so as to elevate the gripper after the same has gripped the bag-blank, and blocks 93 and 9 1 on the cam 91, said blocks being provided with elevations 95 and 96 adapted to be struck by the projection 82 on the gripper-support 78to thereby open the gripper, substantially as described.

8. In a bag-machine, the combination of a front gripper, a swinging gripper-block to which said front gripper is pivotally connected, said gripper-block being mounted so as to permit it to swing to raise and lower the gripper, means for swinging the gripper-block, and means for swinging the gripper-support relatively to the gripper-block so as to open and close the gripper, substantially as described.

9. In a bag-machine, the combination of a rotary cylinder providing a foldingbed, a pair of pivot-plates 65, 65, mounted in recesses in the cylinder, a swinging gripper-block 69 pivotally supported by said pivot-plates 65. 65, and a gripper supportedby said grippingblock, substantially as described.

10. In a bag-machine, the combination with the folding-bed, of a front grippercomprising upper and lower gripping-jaws, said gripper being carried by the folding-bed and having a swinging movement relatively to the same to permit it to be raised and lowered relatively to the bed, means for forming the diamond fold while the bag-blank is engaged by the front gripper, and means for elevating the gripper during the formation of the diamond fold, substantially as described.

11. In a bag-machine, the combination with the folding-bed, of a front gripper comprising upper and lower gripping-jaws, said gripper being carried by the same and. having a swinging motion relatively to the bed so as to permit it to be raised and lowered, means for forming the diamond fold while the bag-blank is engaged bythe front gripper, and means for elevating the front gripper during the formation of the diamond fold and lowering the same before the completion of the fold, substan tially as described.

12. In a bag-machine, the combination with I the folding-bed and the blank-folding mechanism, of means for causing a continuous advancement of one of said elements, and means for reciprocating the other back and, forth lengthwise of thepath of travel of the first mentioned one, substantially as described.

13. In a bag-machine, the combination with v the folding-bed and blank-folding mechanism,

of means for causing a continuous advancementof the folding-bed, and means for recipsubstantially as described.

1 1. In a bag-machine, the combination of a rotary cylinder providing a folding-bed, means for rotating the samecontinuously in one di-v rection, blank-folding mechanisms located on opposite sides of the cylinder, means for re: ciproeating said mechanisms back and forth, at the sides of the cylinder and lengthwise of its direction of movement, and means for actuating said mechanisms during reciprocation, substantially as described.

15. In a baganachine, the combination of a rotary cylinder providing a folding-bed, two sets of reciprocating arms each set being mounted on opposite sides of the cylinder, and each set consisting of two arms, one of which is provided with a carriage carrying folding: blades, and the other of which is provided with means for shifting said carriage in and out, means for reciprocating said arms, and means for actuating the folding-blades during such reciprocation, substantially as described.

16. In a bag-machine, the combination of a rotary cylinder providing a folding-bed, said cylinder being provided with a plurality of front grippers, two sets of reciprocating arms, said sets being mounted on opposite sides of the rotary cylinder, and each set consistingof a pair of arms, one of which is provided with a carriage adapted to slide in and out upon the top of the arm, and the other of which is provided with means for shifting said carriage in and out, folding-blades carried by said carriages, each set of folding-blades con sisting of a lixed blade for engaging the lower ply of the bagblank,a pair of blades or grippers for engaging and gripping the upper ply of the bag-blank, a rock-shaft carrying said upper-ply grippers, means for rocking said shaft as the arms carrying said carriages reciprocate, and means for reciprocating said arms, substantially as described.

17. In a bag-machine, the combination with a rotary cylinder providing afolding-bed, of a plurality of front grippers thereon,arms 98 and 99, whereof the arm 98 is provided with a carriage 102, a rock-shaft 104, carried by said carriage and provided with side grippers 106 and 107, whereof the gripper 107 is constructed a with an extension 109, a lower side gripper 112 on said carriage 102, a depending projection 1 10 on said carriage, a spindle 14:1 mounted at the lower end of said projection, a cam 1 13 on said spindle, said cam being gear-connected with the rock-shaft 10 1, a spring 145 on the spindle 1 11. a cam 13 1 upon which the camarm 1 13 is adapted to act, a pin 115 secured to the carriage 102 and provided with a wheel 117 adapted to lit and act in an inclined groove 11 1 in the top of the arm 99, a finger 136 having a bent portion 137 under which the extension 109,0f the gripper 107 is adapted to pass, and means for reciprocating the arms 98 and 99, substantially as described.

18. In abag-machine, the combination with a rotary cylinder providing a folding-bed, of a reciprocating arm mounted to reciprocate alongside the cylinder and provided with a carriage arranged to shift in and out toward and away from the folding-bed, side-gripping devices carried by said carriage, means for actuating said gripping devices, and means for shifting the carriage in and out during reciprocation, substantially as described.

19. In a bag-machine, the combination with the folding-bed of a reciprocating arm mounted to reciprocate alongside the folding-bed, a sliding carriage carried thereby, side-gripping devices carried by the carriage, means for actuating the gripping devices, means for reciprocating the reciprocating arm, and means for shifting the carriage in and out toward and away from the folding-bed during reciprocation, substantially as described.

20. In a bag-machine, the combination of a reciprocating arm 98, a carriage 102 thereon, a rock-shaft mounted in said carriage and provided with side-gripping devices, means for turning said rock-shaft, means for reciprocating the reciprocating arm, and means for shifting the carriage, substantially as described.

21. In a bag-machine, the combination of a pair of reciprocating arms, one of which carries a sliding carriage bearing side-gripping devices and the other of which is provided with means for shifting said carriage, substantially as described.

22. In a bag-machine, the combination of a pair of reciprocating arms, one of which carries a sliding carriage, bearing side-gripping devices, and the other of which is provided with an inclined groove adapted to cooperate with a roller on the carriage for shifting the latter, substantially as described.

23. In a bag-machine, the combination with the folding-bed and means for forming the.

diamond fold thereon, of a front gripper consisting of upper and lower gripping-jaws, means for elevating said gripper during the formation of the diamond fold, and means for closing and opening said gripper as required to engage and release the forward end of the lower ply of the bag-blank, substantially as described.

24:. In a bag-machine, the combination with a folding-bed, and side-gripping devices, of means for folding the bag-blank, a front gripper comprising upper and lower gripping-jaws adapted to clasp the forward end of the lower ply of the bag-blank, and means for raising and lowering said gripper during the folding operation.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 17th day of January, A. D. 1903.

HERBERT E. WESTERVELT.

Witnesses:

A. MILLER BELFIELD, I. C. LEE. 

